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Z-Cam Hardware Setup

This startup guide is intended for those who have already acquired the necessary software and hardware to meet the Genesis requirements. If you haven't reviewed these specifications yet, please refer to our Equipment List and Requirements. 

Rigging Cameras

Camera Placement

  • Mounting: Secure cameras to your tripod or fixed clamp using the 1/4"-20 mounting points.
  • Stability: Ensure all clamps are tightened fully before connecting cables to prevent "micro-shakes" during synchronised capture.
  • Configure Lens settings: Set the manual focus to their optimal settings for the best possible capture.
    • Focus: Ensure the focus ring on all Laowa lenses is set to the ‘infinity’ position.

Cable Requirements

  • Ethernet: Use Cat6 (or higher) cables. Cat6 is required to handle the high-bandwidth data transfer and PoE+ power delivery without signal dropouts.

  • Shielding: If rigging in an environment with heavy electrical interference (lighting rigs, motors), FTP shielded Cat6 is recommended.

     

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Connecting/Powering Cameras

PoE+ Setup
  • One Cable Power: This setup utilizes PoE+. The switch powers all cameras through the Cat6 cables, eliminating the need for batteries or AC adapters at the camera head.
  • Boot Up: Cameras will automatically power on once the switch is active and connected.
  • Run a single Cat6 cable from each camera directly to the PoE+ Switch. Avoid using "daisy-chain" splitters; every camera needs its own dedicated home run to the switch.
  • Then run a single cable from the 10GB SFP on the switch directly back to the host device (PC/laptop). A 1GB SFP on the switch can be used; however, expect to encounter slower file transfer speeds.

Note: The E2 M4 Mark II can require up to 50w of power per unit while capturing, ensure your POE+ switch has enough POE allowance to support the number of cameras being used. For an 8 camera set up, we recommend the MikroTik Switch CRS320-8P-8B-4S+R. A 10GB SFP is required for the optimal connection to control and offload data from the cameras.

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Camera Control

Laptop / Host Device Requirements

  • The host machine must be on the same network subnet as the cameras.
  • OS Compatibility: You can use the Z CAM Web Browser on Mac, Windows and Linux users.

Note: For faster data harvesting, we recommend a 10GB network card in the host device you are using. The switch recommended above supports a 10GB network.

Note: For faster data harvesting, we recommend a 10GB network card in the host device you are using. The switch recommended above supports a 10GB network.

IP: Finding & Checking

  • Check the small LCD screen on the top of each camera.
    • Press Menu and navigate to Connect/Network
    • Ensure the ETH Mode is set to Static
      • IPs must be set to Static mode to ensure the Master/Slave relationship remains permanent and doesn't reset after a power cycle.
    • The current assigned IP address is shown under ETH IP.
  • Default Conflict: Out of the box, multiple cameras may attempt to claim the same default IP. Connect them to the switch one at a time to configure them initially.

Z CAM E2-M4 Cinema Camera 4-550x550w

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Changing IPs

  • Web Browser:
    • Type the camera's current LCD-displayed IP into your browser (Chrome/Edge/Firefox). Navigate to Network Settings to change the IP and set to Static.

Example IPs

Camera

  • IP: 10.98.32.7

Host Device

  • IP: 10.98.32.5
  • Subnet: 255.255.255.0
  • Gateway: 10.98.32.1
  • DNS: 8.8.8.8

 

Note: You will need to edit the IP again in the device list to your updates IP to reconnect to the camera. The purpose of changing IPs at this stage is to prevent multicamera network conflict from the default IPs as mentioned above.